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Biodiversity Landscape Planning Guideline: a framework for managing biodiversity values at a landscape scale in areas regulated under the Tasmanian forest practices system Forest Practices Authority, Hobart May 2017

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Page 1: Biodiversity Landscape Planning Guideline: a framework for ......Biodiversity Landscape Planning Guideline Version 1.0 (D16/221856) 4 Environmental weeds: Weeds that can invade bushland

Biodiversity Landscape Planning

Guideline: a framework for managing

biodiversity values at a landscape

scale in areas regulated under the

Tasmanian forest practices system

Forest Practices Authority, Hobart

May 2017

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Biodiversity Landscape Planning Guideline Version 1.0 (D16/221856) 2

This document has been prepared by Anne Chuter, Amy Koch and Sarah Munks for the Forest

Practices Authority.

Disclaimer

The information presented is a broad overview of information considered relevant (by the authors).

Whilst the Forest Practices Authority has used its best endeavours to ensure accuracy, it does not

warrant that the material is free of error. Consequently, the advice is provided on the basis that the

Forest Practices Authority will not be liable for any error or omission, in contract, tort or otherwise.

However, should any error or omission be notified, the Forest Practices Authority will use its best

endeavours to correct the advice.

Citation

This document should be cited as:

Forest Practices Authority 2017, Biodiversity Landscape Planning Guideline: a framework for taking

account of biodiversity values at a landscape scale in areas regulated by the Tasmanian forest

practices system, Forest Practices Authority.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the people who contributed to this report and provided comment on the

earlier versions. In particular, to Marie Yee and the Commonwealth funded RFA priority species

project steering committee for contributions to the development of this document. Also, thank you

to Graham Wilkinson, Phil Bell, Simon Grove, Suzette Weeding, Penny Wells, John Hickey, Alex

Schaap, Amy Robertson and other FPA Board and FPAC members for their comments on earlier

drafts.

Note: This document is an advisory guideline and does not replace the need to meet the

mandatory requirements of the Forest Practices Code.

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Glossary

Adaptive management: The process of responding positively to change. The term adaptive

management is used to describe an approach to managing complex natural systems that builds on

common sense and learning from experience, experimenting, monitoring, and adjusting practices

based on what was learnt.

Agreed procedures: The procedures agreed between the FPA and DPIPWE for the management of

threatened species under the forest practices system, available on the FPA’s website:

(http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Final%20signed%20Procedures%20for%20the%20manageme

nt%20of%20threatened%20species.pdf)

Biodiversity: A concept encompassing the diversity of indigenous species, their genes and the

ecosystems occurring in a given region. It includes 'genetic diversity', which reflects the diversity

within each species; ‘species diversity', which is the variety of species; and 'ecosystem diversity',

which is the diversity of different communities formed by living organisms and the relations

between them. Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms—the plants, animals and microorganisms—

the genes they constitute, and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Biodiversity Review Panel: A panel of experts convened by the FPA to review and to provide advice

on the science behind the biodiversity provisions of the Tasmanian Forest Practices Code.

CAR Reserve system: Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative reserve system, as defined in

the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement 1997.

CFEV major drainage catchments: catchments created by aggregating River Section Catchments

until they resembled the original Land and Water Management Catchments commonly used by

water managers and scientists within Tasmania.

Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values (CFEV) Program: An initiative of the Department of

Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE). Its aim is to ensure that priority

freshwater values are appropriately considered in the development, management and conservation

of the state's water resources.

Coupe: An area of forest that is planned for timber harvesting as a single unit. It may contain more

than one silvicultural objective, such as a number of discrete gaps or clearfells or a combination of

both.

Declared weeds: A plant declared to be a weed under section 9 or 10 of the Weed Management Act

1999.

DPIPWE: Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, which includes the

Resources Management and Conservation Division and the Threatened Species Section.

EPBC Act: The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is the Commonwealth

Act which relates to the protection of the environment and the conservation of biodiversity, and for

related purposes.

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Environmental weeds: Weeds that can invade bushland and threaten native plants by out-

competing them.

Forest Practices Act 1985: Provides for the administration of the forest practices system through the

FPA.

Forest Practices Authority (FPA): The independent statutory body responsible for administering the

Forest Practices Act 1985 through the development and management of the forest practices system.

Forest Practices Code: A Code established under the Forest Practices Act 1985 which prescribes the

manner in which forest practices must be conducted in order to provide reasonable protection of

the environment.

Forest practices system: The system established pursuant to the objective set out in schedule 7 of

the Forest Practices Act 1985.

Forestry Tasmania: Government business enterprise responsible for management of PTPZ Land.

Forest Practices Advisory Council (FPAC): A representative body of stakeholders that provide

technical advice to the Board of the FPA, established under the Forest Practices Act 1985.

Habitat: The area, locality, site or particular type of environment, or any part of them, occupied or

used by any flora or fauna.

Habitat tree: A habitat tree is a mature living tree selected to be retained in a coupe because it has

features of special value for wildlife (e.g., hollows). Habitat trees should be selected on the basis of

size and the presence of hollows or the potential to develop hollows over time.

Land clearing: The removal and destruction of all native vegetation and vegetation types, including

individual trees, woodlands, grasslands, forests and wetlands.

Landscape scale: A term used in this report to describe a multi-spatial approach to strategic

planning. Four spatial scales of planning should be considered (Biodiversity Review Panel 2008):

1. State-wide

2. Bioregional (IBRA)

3. Planning Context Unit (PCU) - a notional contextual area around the planning node which

depends on the scale of operations—e.g. forest block, multiple private property boundaries,

CFEV major drainage catchments.

4. Coupe Context Unit (CCU) which on state forest may be a notional 400 ha unit around the

coupe, or may be a private property boundary and surrounding land-use context.

Maintain: To keep at the current state, or at a state which is appropriate for the biodiversity value

and/or the context of the landscape.

Mature forest: Forests are classified as mature when they are at least 100 years old and begin to

develop structural features typically found in older forests.

Monitoring: The regular observation and recording of activities or a particular value of interest.

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Monitoring – implementation: Monitoring which is used to determine whether prescribed

management is actually conducted

Monitoring – effectiveness: Monitoring which is used to determine whether the management

specified has achieved its objective.

Native forest: Any naturally occurring forest community containing the full complement of native

species and habitats normally associated with that community, or having the potential to develop

these characteristics. Native forests include mature, regrowth and regenerating forests.

Phytophthora cinnamomi: Phytophthora cinnamomi is a root fungus that can impact on drier forest

and non-forest communities in lowland areas of Tasmania.

Planning tool: An instrument to deliver information to forest planners on the approach to

management of a species or value in areas covered by the forest practices system.

Plantation: A forest stand established by the planting of regularly-spaced seedlings or cuttings of

trees (usually a monoculture of hardwood or softwood species) selected for their wood producing

properties and managed intensively for the purposes of future timber harvesting.

Prescription: A detailed specification of the objectives, area, procedures and standards required.

Priority forest community: A forest community listed in Attachment 6, Section 3 (21) ‘Forest

Communities managed by prescription’ of the Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement 1997 (RFA).

Priority species: Fauna and flora species identified through the RFA as species requiring

consideration and management though the CAR reserve system or by applying relevant ‘off-reserve’

management prescriptions.

Private land: A land tenure arrangement where the land is permanently owned and not leased.

Permanent Timber Production Zone (PTPZ) Land: Crown land declared to be permanent timber

production zone land under section 10, or land referred to in section 12, or land referred to in

Schedule 2 under the Forest Management Act 2013.

Remnant vegetation: The remaining vegetation in a landscape after land clearance/alteration. A

remnant can be of any size and condition. Anything that is native and remaining from the ‘original’

forest or non-forest vegetation is a remnant including individual trees, both live and dead (dead

trees are often important in supplying nesting hollows and rotten wood habitat for invertebrates

and reptiles).

Reserve: The Tasmanian Reserve Estate includes formal and informal reserves on public land,

reserves on private land, and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Tasmanian Reserve Estate spatial

layer is managed by DPIPWE.

RFA: Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) are 20-year plans, signed by the Australian and certain state

governments, for the conservation and sustainable management of certain areas of Australia’s

native forests.

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RFA Priority Species Project: Short title for Part two of the project titled ‘Developing a framework

for the conservation of habitat of Regional Forest Agreement priority species and a Strategic Species

Plan for the swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) Part 2 – Strategic landscape approach to the

management of habitat for RFA priority species’.

Riparian: Pertaining to the banks of streams, rivers or lakes.

Seral stage: Successional stages in development of vegetation communities.

Significant habitat: Habitat within the known range of a species that (1) is known to be of high

priority for the maintenance of breeding populations throughout the species range and/or, (2)

conversion, of which, to non-native vegetation is considered to result in a long term negative impact

on breeding populations of the species. It may include areas that do not currently support breeding

populations of the species but that need to be maintained in order to ensure the long-term future of

the species. Significant habitat is determined from published and unpublished scientific literature

and/or via expert opinion, agreed by the Threatened Species Section (DPIPWE) in consultation with

species specialists, and endorsed by the threatened species Scientific Advisory Committee (TSSAC).

Silviculture: The theory and practice of managing forest establishment, composition and growth to

achieve specified management objectives.

Swift Parrot Important Breeding Area (SPIBA): Swift Parrot important breeding areas that are

known or suspected to have supported a large portion of the Swift Parrot breeding population in any

given year.

Stand: A group of trees or patch of forest that can be distinguished from other groups on the basis of

size, age, species composition, condition or other attribute.

Streamside reserves: All land within a minimum horizontal distance specified in the Forest Practices

Code from the banks of a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 watercourse.

Structure (landscape): The vertical and spatial distribution of the vegetation.

Structure (tree): Elements that make up the form of the tree, such as hollows, branches, canopy.

Threatened: When used in association with a species, population or community indicates that it is

listed under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995, Commonwealth Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 or Nature Conservation Act 2002.

Threatened Fauna Adviser (TFA): The Threatened Fauna Adviser is a decision-support system

developed by the FPA, in consultation with DPIPWE, specialists and the forest industry, to deliver

management recommendations for forest-dependant threatened fauna in wood production forests.

Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: An Act to provide for the protection and management of

threatened native flora and fauna and to enable and promote the conservation of native flora and

fauna.

Threatened Species Section (TSS): A section of the Policy and Conservation Advice Branch of the

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE), whose main function

and objective is the identification, conservation and recovery of Tasmania's threatened species.

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Vegetation management agreement: An agreement that an owner of land enters into with an

instrumentality or agency of the Crown for the purposes of managing native vegetation on that land.

Wildlife habitat clump: An area containing habitat trees set aside in a harvesting coupe to aid in the

maintenance of fauna habitat diversity.

Wildlife habitat strip: Strips of uncut forest 100 metres in width, based on streamside reserves but

including links up slope and across ridges to connect with watercourses in adjoining catchments.

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Contents

Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 9

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 10

1.1 The context of the BLPG ............................................................................................................. 10

1.2 BLPG Objective ............................................................................................................................ 11

1.3 BLPG framework ......................................................................................................................... 11

1.4 BLPG implementation ................................................................................................................. 12

1.5 BLPG monitoring and reporting .................................................................................................. 12

1.6 BLPG review ................................................................................................................................ 13

2. Goals and management targets ........................................................................................................ 14

2.2 Rationale for goals and management targets ............................................................................. 15

3. Management targets, actions and planning tools ............................................................................ 19

Goal 1: Maintain an extensive and permanent native vegetation estate ........................................ 20

Goal 2: Maintain or improve landscape heterogeneity and stand structure complexity ................ 21

Goal 3: Maintain connectivity of habitat for flora and fauna species .............................................. 22

Goal 4: Maintain and/or improve the condition of freshwater ecosystems .................................... 22

Goal 5: Maintain and/or improve the condition of native habitats for flora and fauna .................. 24

Goal 6: Maintain and/or improve the conservation status of forest species, particularly threatened

species ............................................................................................................................................... 25

4. Planning tools ................................................................................................................................ 26

4.1 Existing planning tools ................................................................................................................ 26

4.2 Continuous improvement and adaptive management ............................................................... 28

5. Threatened species – Meeting Goal 6 .............................................................................................. 30

7. References ........................................................................................................................................ 36

8. Appendices ........................................................................................................................................ 38

Appendix 1: Process for the development, review and continual improvement of the provisions of

the Forest Practices Code .................................................................................................................. 38

Appendix 2: Management targets and related sustainability indicators.......................................... 39

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Biodiversity Landscape Planning Guideline

Summary

The Biodiversity Landscape Planning Guideline (the BLPG) is a framework for managing

biodiversity values at the landscape scale in areas regulated under the Tasmanian forest

practices system. The BLPG is not a mandatory requirement of the forest practices system.

The BLPG framework helps provide guidance for longer-term forest planning to meet landscape-

scale goals for biodiversity in wood production forests.

The primary objective of the Guideline is ‘To contribute to the maintenance of biological

diversity, ecological function and evolutionary processes through the maintenance of viable

breeding populations and habitat for all species at multiple spatial and temporal scales, in areas

regulated under the forest practices system’.

Section D (Conservation of Natural and Cultural Values) of the Tasmanian Forest Practices Code

emphasises the need to assess natural values at the strategic or property level. Section D3, Basic

Approach, states that ‘Planning for flora and fauna conservation should initially be carried out at

a regional level (e.g. Whole property, forest block or district forest management plan)’. The BLPG

has been developed to assist this approach.

The BLPG translates landscape ecological theory into guidelines for on-ground practice using a

four tiered framework. The first tier of the framework comprises ecologically-based goals. Each

goal is then broken down into the management targets that should be met in order to achieve

the goal. The BLPG also recommends on-ground actions to achieve the management targets,

and the planning tools designed to assist with the implementation of an action.

The BLPG recognises that there may be alternative ways to meet a particular goal and/or

management target. The BLPG also recognises that not all biodiversity values can be managed at

the landscape scale and that local scale and/or species-specific management may also be

required.

While planning for biodiversity at the landscape-scale, through application of the BLPG, may

cater for many species and habitats, conservation management of threatened species will often

require a species-specific targeted approach. Therefore, the BLPG includes a section to guide the

management of threatened species and their habitat at the landscape scale. This section

represents the best available information at present, and it is intended for species-specific

management to continually be reviewed and improved upon based on new information.

The BLPG is underpinned by an adaptive management framework, where information gathered

through monitoring and/or research can feed back into the BLPG to allow adaptations of actions

or targets to make them more effective in achieving the goals.

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1. Introduction

In Tasmania, forest biodiversity conservation is achieved through maintenance of a permanent

native forest estate, the established CAR reserve system and subsequent new reserves on public or

private land, and through applying management prescriptions in wood production forests,

conducted in accordance with the forest practices system.

The forest practices system is underpinned by adaptive management principles, and landscape-level

prescriptions for biodiversity have incrementally improved since the introduction of the Forest

Practices Code (the Code). Section D3 of the Code explicitly states the need for landscape-level

planning for flora and fauna conservation ‘Planning for flora and fauna conservation should initially

be carried out at a regional level (e.g., whole property, forest block or district forest management

plan…’. Landscape-scale provisions of the Code include wildlife habitat strips, stream-side reserves,

dispersal of harvest operations, retention of remnants, restoration of habitat to link retained areas

and strategic-level management plans and recommendations for some threatened species (FPA

2002; FPA 2014).

Reviews of the approach taken to the management of biodiversity values in production forests,

however, have recommended the need for greater emphasis on landscape level planning for

biodiversity conservation, specifically the development of a landscape approach to managing

biodiversity in areas regulated under the forest practices system (Biodiversity Review Panel 2009,

Ramsey 2008). In response to these recommendations the Forest Practices Authority (FPA), as part

of the DPIPWE/FPA Commonwealth funded ‘RFA priority species project’, developed the Biodiversity

Landscape Planning Guideline (the BLPG).

1.1 The context of the BLPG

The Tasmanian forest practices system recognises ‘strategic’ or landscape-scale management

through the Forest Practices Code 2015 which explicitly states ‘that natural and cultural values

should be assessed at the strategic or property level. This is particularly important where whole

landscapes and catchments are being managed intensively for wood production.’

The BLPG clarifies the contribution of current policy and the legislative framework to landscape-scale

biodiversity management, but the BLPG is not a mandatory requirement of the forest practices

system.

The BLPG has been developed to guide the formulation of strategic or landscape-scale management

plans for biodiversity to meet this strategic planning provision of the Code. It may be useful in the

development of public authority management agreements (PAMAs) and other management

agreements under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. Gaps in landscape-scale

biodiversity management practices were identified during the development of the BLPG and this

information has been used to prioritise future work.

The BLPG goals and management targets have been developed based on the principles of

Lindenmayer and Franklin (2002), and a comprehensive review of national and international

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landscape approaches to conservation management (Chuter & Munks 2011b; Chuter & Munks

2011a; Koch et al. 2011; Munks & Koch 2011a).

The BLPG only considers threats in the context of the forest practices system. For example, while

climate change and stochastic wildfire have the potential to significantly threaten biodiversity,

mitigating these threats is beyond the scope of the BLPG. However, the BLPG may indirectly provide

some mitigation by adopting the principles of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience

within a dynamic system, and by embracing an adaptive management approach.

1.2 BLPG Objective

The overarching objective of the BLPG is ‘To contribute to the maintenance of biological diversity,

ecological function and evolutionary processes through the maintenance of viable breeding

populations and habitat for all species at multiple spatial and temporal scales, in areas regulated

under the forest practices system’.

Implementation of the BLPG will contribute to the overarching objective of the Tasmania’s Forest

Practices Act, which is ‘To achieve sustainable management of Crown and private forests with due

care for the environment and taking into account social, economic and environmental outcomes

while delivering, in a way that is as far as possible self-funding–

(a) an emphasis on self-regulation; and

(b) planning before forest operations; and

(c) delegated and decentralized approvals for forest practices plans and other forest

practices matters; and

(d) a forest practices code which provides practical standards for forest management, timber

harvesting and other forest operations; and

(e) an emphasis on consultation and education; and

(ea) an emphasis on research, review and continuing improvement; and

(eb) the conservation of threatened native vegetation communities; and

(f) provision for the rehabilitation of land in cases where the forest practices code is

contravened; and

(g) an independent appeal process; and

(h) through the declaration of private timber reserves– a means by which private land

holders are able to ensure the security of their forest resources.

1.3 BLPG framework

The BLPG has ecologically-based goals for biodiversity conservation. These goals have been

developed based on the principles of Lindenmayer and Franklin (2002) and in the context of the

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Tasmanian forest practices system. The rationale for each goal is provided in Section 2. The BLPG

aims to translate landscape ecological theory into on-ground practice for a wood production forest

context, using a four tiered framework:

1. Ecologically-based goals

2. Management targets to achieve the goals

3. Recommended Actions to achieve management targets

4. Recommended planning tools designed to assist in implementing the actions.

It is noted that many of the management targets in this guideline relate to the sustainability

indicators from the Tasmanian State of the Forests reporting (State of Tasmania and Commonwealth

of Australia 2007) (see Appendix 1).

1.4 BLPG implementation

The BLPG is an advisory guideline designed to assist planners in meeting the landscape-scale

provisions of the Forest Practices Code when developing strategic or landscape-scale management

plans. It is assumed that the planner will also use expert judgement and any other available

information when developing such plans.

Strategic plans developed by industry planners using the BLPG will be subject to endorsement

following the procedures appropriate to the mechanism used (e.g., 3 year plan, Vegetation

Management Agreement, property plan, forest management plan). If the plan includes management

prescriptions for threatened species then the procedures agreed between the FPA and DPIPWE will

apply.

1.5 BLPG monitoring and reporting

Monitoring is an essential component of an adaptive management framework. The FPA is required

to report five yearly on the state of Tasmania’s forests under section 4Z of the Forest Practices

Act 1985, through the national State of the Forests reports. These reports contain a number of

criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management which are based on the international

Montreal Process framework. The relationship between the sustainability indicators and the

management targets in the Guideline is shown in Appendix 2.

Any strategic plans developed and implemented using the BLPG should include a program for

monitoring and reporting. Monitoring should include both implementation monitoring (i.e., are the

actions being implemented on the ground) and effectiveness monitoring (i.e., are the actions

effective at meeting the management target).

Effectiveness monitoring should not only use GIS data analysis, but should also include field studies.

It may not be possible to monitor the effectiveness of all management actions. A prioritisation

approach can be used to identify actions that are in need of monitoring based on importance and

effort required to monitor.

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The results of the monitoring should be used to review and update the management plan, if

required. If management targets are not being achieved, the review should determine why not (e.g.

operational constraints, misinterpretation of the management action etc.), to facilitate continual

improvement of the management plan.

1.6 BLPG review

The BLPG should be reviewed at periodic intervals (or as new information becomes available),

following the process for review and continual improvement of provisions of the Forest Practices

Code (see Appendix 1).

The BLPG recommends actions, planning tools and management targets that are all based on the

best available information. It is recognised that the practicality and effectiveness of actions,

planning tools and management targets should continually be reviewed and adapted as new

information becomes available.

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2. Goals and management targets

2.1 Summary of goals and management targets

The following goals and management targets have been designed to meet the primary objective of

the BLPG (Box 1).

Box 1. Six goals and management targets to meet the primary objective of the BLPG

Goal 1: Maintain an extensive and permanent native vegetation estate.

1.1 Maintain a native forest estate.

1.2 Maintain and/or enhance the area and/or condition of threatened native vegetation communities

on public and private land.

1.3 Ensure that conversion does not result in any non-threatened native vegetation community

becoming threatened.

1.4 Maintain priority forest communities on public land wherever prudent and feasible.

Goal 2: Maintain or improve landscape heterogeneity and stand structure complexity.

2.1 Maintain the full range of seral stage patterns in native forest.

2.2 Maintain remnant vegetation.

2.3 Ensure adequate regeneration in native forest harvest areas is achieved during each harvest cycle,

including regeneration of the understorey.

Goal 3: Maintain connectivity of habitat for flora and fauna species.

3.1 Maintain and/or enhance linkages along water courses and between water courses, capturing a

range of habitat types and topographies.

Goal 4: Maintain and/or improve the condition of freshwater ecosystems.

4.1 Maintain water quality and flow within the range of natural variation over time.

4.2 Maintain and/or restore riparian vegetation and in stream habitat.

Goal 5: Maintain and/or improve the condition of native habitats for flora and fauna.

5.1 Manage the risk of introducing pests and disease into a ‘healthy’ habitat.

5.2 Minimise the deleterious effects of weeds in native forests and plantations with particular focus

on declared environmental weeds and native forest adjacent to plantations.

5.3 Minimise harmful edge effects on reserves and sensitive vegetation communities and sensitive

threatened species habitat.

5.4 Maintain soil fertility and structure.

Goal 6: Maintain and/or improve the conservation status of forest species, particularly threatened

species.

6.1 Maintain viable populations of threatened species across their ranges, through the management

of potential habitat and other actions, and ensure conversion doesn’t result in a non-threatened

species becoming threatened.

6.2 Manage the risk of genetic pollution in threatened native eucalypt populations and areas of high

conservation value.

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2.2 Rationale for goals and management targets

Goal 1 - Maintain an extensive and permanent native vegetation estate

Maintaining native vegetation cover is the first essential element of a management strategy for

maintaining forest and non-forest dependent species. Ecological reserves in Tasmania play an

important role in maintaining biodiversity, but they have limitations in terms of size, location and

management options. These limitations mean that the complementary management of native

vegetation in areas outside reserves is an essential element of any strategy to conserve biodiversity.

Within the Tasmanian forest practices system the Forest Practices Act 1985 limits the clearing of

threatened native vegetation communities by only permitting clearing under ‘exceptional

circumstances’. Threatened native vegetation communities are defined as those communities listed

on the Nature Conservation Act 2002, and included forest and non-forest communities. A second

instrument for maintaining native vegetation outside reserves is the Permanent Native Forest Estate

Policy (PNFEP). The PNFEP commits the state to the maintenance of native forest cover. The current

version of the PNFEP (2016) caps clearing and conversion on both public and private land to no more

than 5% of the state-wide native forest (as mapped in 1996).

After maintaining native vegetation cover, maintaining the range of vegetation communities at

multiple spatial scales is the next most basic element to ensure conservation of biodiversity.

Maintaining the range of vegetation communities at multiple spatial scales will contribute to a

heterogeneous landscape and contribute to maintaining a range of habitats for threatened species.

A heterogeneous landscape will help maintain habitat during major stochastic events (e.g. fires,

floods), will help cater for the varying habitat requirements between different species (e.g. stag

beetles compared to owls) and for dynamic requirements of individual species (e.g. swift parrot

which requires a combination of foraging and nesting habitat for breeding habitat). This is achieved,

in part, through the maintenance of threatened vegetation communities (under the Forest Practices

Act 1985), and also through the PNFEP. The PNFEP aims to maintain forest communities within each

bioregion at no less than 75 percent of the 1996 area or a minimum of 2000 hectares (whichever is

the higher); and limits the clearing and conversion of native forest on private land to no more than

40 hectares per property in any 12 month period.

Goal 2 – Maintain or improve landscape heterogeneity and stand structure

complexity

A landscape made up of habitat patches representing different vegetation types, forest age classes,

composition and structural conditions that best mimic natural conditions is important for

biodiversity conservation. Lindenmayer and Franklin (2002) refer to landscape heterogeneity and

stand structural complexity as two basic principles of biodiversity conservation.

Forests are dynamic landscapes and natural or managed disturbances produce a mosaic of different

forest age classes. The forest mosaic changes over time as areas are subject to disturbance, and as

areas age, grow and pass through a series of successional stages (seral stages). Each seral stage may

provide a unique habitat values for species. For example, a young forest that flowers prolifically will

provide a foraging resource for nectarivors. As that forest ages, the increasing abundance of coarse

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woody debris will provide habitat for ground-dwelling invertebrates. Therefore having a

heterogeneous pattern of seral stages across the landscape is important for maintaining biodiversity.

Mimicking the natural seral stage pattern would be ideal for conservation of biodiversity. However,

in a landscape with a history (and possibly future) of irregular natural and/or anthropogenic

disturbance events it is difficult to know what is a natural seral stage pattern, and at what spatial

scale or scales it should be managed. Therefore, understanding the needs of indicator species or

indicator groups (e.g., colonisers, mature forest specialist) is important in determining the seral-

stages and patch-sizes needed for a heterogeneous and biodiverse landscape.

Within the Tasmanian forest practices system there are some mechanisms in place to assist with

maintenance of a heterogeneous landscape. These include dispersal of harvesting units, limitations

on the size of the harvest unit, networks of formal and informal reserves, and management of

mature (hollow bearing) forest at different spatial-scales. More work is needed to understand

whether the current management is meeting the requirements of the target species or species-

groups at multiple scales and over the long-term.

Goal 3 - Maintain connectivity of habitat for flora and fauna species

As land-use changes and habitat is lost, the landscape can become increasingly fragmented. This

fragmentation often has negative effects on biodiversity, such as isolating populations and

decreasing the chance of dispersal or re-colonisation. Over the longer-term, habitat fragmentation

can also decrease species’ genetic diversity (Lienert 2004) and decrease the chances of a population

or species surviving stochastic events (Krosby et al 2010).

Maintaining connectivity is a key concept for managing the effects of habitat fragmentation.

Connectivity of habitat across the landscape can assist movement of biota which promotes gene

transfer, recolonisation of species into disturbed areas and reduce the risk of population

fragmentation. Connectivity can be achieved in a number of ways, depending on the type of

connectivity.

Spatial connectivity refers to the physical connection of various attributes in the landscape, such as

forest. Spatial connectivity is useful in reducing isolation of habitat patches and providing movement

corridors, but does not necessarily take into consideration the habitat requirements of the species

occupying the landscape. Alternatively, functional connectivity of habitat is more targeted at the

species requirements and does not need to always be physically connected. For example, a plant

species requires habitat or other populations to be within the pollen dispersal distance to be

effectively connected.

This Guideline considers maintenance of both spatial and functional connectivity, as both types of

connectivity are important in maintaining habitat for flora and fauna species. Although connectivity

is a by-product of other management actions that maintain habitat, the main provision for achieving

connectivity through the forest practices system is the implementation of landscape corridors

(wildlife habitat strips) and streamside reserves. Wildlife habitat strips should be implemented

across a range of habitat types, however they are not customised to meet the requirements of

species habitat or landscape.

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Goal 4 - Maintain and/or improve the condition of freshwater ecosystems

Freshwater ecosystems include surface features such as lakes, streams, rivers and wetlands as well

as subterranean aquatic systems. Forest operations and land-use changes have the potential to have

significant impacts on freshwater ecosystems by affecting hydrology, water quality and in-stream

habitat.

Harvesting of trees can change the amount of water flow into a stream or catchment. Tree cover

has an impact on the interception of rainfall, run-off (especially if the soil is compacted) and

groundwater, therefore the extent of forest harvesting and regeneration can alter hydrological

processes and change water flow in a catchment. Changes in water quality are mainly driven by

increased sediment entering the waterbody. The removal of vegetation can lead to increased chance

of erosion and a higher level of soil particles being washed into streams by surface run off. In-stream

habitat will be impacted by changes in water flow and quality, and by direct impact on the stream

and associated riparian vegetation (e.g., construction of stream crossings).

These negative impacts are mitigated to an extent by the provisions to protect soil and water

delivered through the Forest Practices Code. These provisions include streamside reserves, limiting

the access of machinery into riparian areas, and managing the type and timing of operations based

on soil conditions.

Within the forest practices system management of freshwater ecosystems at the catchment scale

has been primarily driven by coupe dispersal or management of habitat for threatened native fish

species. There is a need to develop a catchment scale management approach which aims to

maintain the condition of freshwater ecosystems across the landscape.

Goal 5 - Maintain and/or improve the condition of native habitats for flora and

fauna

Degradation of environmental health can have many impacts, both environmentally and

economically. Loss of health, through factors such as introduction of invasive species and disease,

can have impacts on native vegetation survival and growth and wildlife habitat.

Invasive species are species that are non-native to a particular environment and whose introduction

and spread causes, or are likely to cause, environmental harm. Invasive species includes pests such

as feral animals and weeds. The environmental harm caused by invasive species can be seen in

various ways, such as a reduction of native species abundance and diversity through increased

competition for habitat and/or foraging resources and direct loss of native species through

predation.

The Australian Government and each state and territory have strategies for reducing the risk of

introducing invasive species and mitigating the impacts of invasive species. In Tasmania biosecurity

is regulated by the Department of Primary Industries Parks Water and Environment and includes

programs to detect and eradicate invasive animals and weeds. Through the Forest Practices Code

there are some measures to reduce the risk of introducing weeds into a ‘healthy’ habitats, however

much of the invasive species management is currently achieved outside the forest practices system.

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Like invasive species, diseases have the potential to negatively affect native vegetation and native

species habitats through loss of flora and fauna and changes in species composition. Diseases, such

as Phytophthora and chytrid fungus can easily be spread by forestry activities through the

movement of soil (e.g. on machinery, vehicles, people). The forest industry already implements

hygiene control measures to reduce the risk of spreading diseases through forestry activities. It is

important to continue to implement these hygiene measures and to monitor the result to determine

if the measures are effective.

Goal 6 - Maintain and/or improve the conservation status of forest species,

particularly threatened species

Almost 700 hundred species of flora and fauna in Tasmania are recognised as being ‘threatened’ and

listed on the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and/or the Commonwealth

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

To maintain or improve the conservation status of threatened species is a complex goal for

landscape management within the forest practices system. For some species, to maintain or improve

a conservation status will not be achievable within the scope of this Guideline, particularly if the

threatening process or the physical area where the species is most at risk operates outside the forest

practices system. For these species, the Guideline aims to contribute to the maintenance of the

conservation status of the species and to not detrimentally impact the conservation status of priority

species.

Common threats to threatened species include land clearing and fragmentation, changes in forest

composition and structure, and degradation of forest health. This Guideline delivers management

targets through goals 1–5 that will alleviate these threats and contribute to the conservation of

threatened species to an extent. These management targets include: maintenance of movement

corridors to facilitate genetic diversity (under Goal 3), achieving forest regeneration (under Goal 1),

maintaining a good dispersal of coupes across the landscape to reduce fragmentation and assist with

maintaining the seral stage pattern (under Goal 2), and reducing the risk of introducing weeds and

disease (under Goal 5).

Other threats which are specific to a species, group of species or a particular habitat type will require

a more targeted approach to management. Management may be achieved at multiple scales and

both strategically and on a case-by-case basis. Within the forest practices system, management

actions for threatened fauna species are currently delivered on a case-by-case basis through the

Threatened Fauna Adviser (TFA). To assist with managing threatened fauna at a strategic level

(where possible), this guideline highlights the management actions within the TFA that may be able

to be applied through a strategic process, or management actions are wholly or partially achieved

through the implementation of other goals in this Guideline (see Table 2).

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3. Management targets, actions and planning tools

For each management target, the BLPG recommends a number of on-ground actions that can be

applied to collectively achieve the management target.

Planning tools used under the forest practices system are instruments that assist in the development

of the on-ground actions needed to achieve a management target. Planning tools help clarify and

guide the interpretation and implementation of actions. For the purposes of the BLPG the term

‘planning tools’ include decision support systems, technical documents, policies and procedures. It is

recognised that alternative actions and planning tools, not referred to in this BLPG, may be applied

to achieve the management targets.

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Goal 1: Maintain an extensive and permanent native vegetation estate

Management target Actions Planning tools

1.1 Maintain a native forest estate Do not allow clearance and/or conversion of forest areas undertaken under

certified forest practices plans that would exceed the 95 per cent threshold as

reported in the Permanent Native Forest Estate figures.

Permanent Native Forest

Estate Policy 2016

1.2 Maintain and/or enhance the area

and/or condition of threatened native

vegetation communities on public and

private land.

Clearance and conversion of all native vegetation communities listed as

threatened on the Nature Conservation Act 2002 to be regulated in accordance

with the Forest Practices Act 1985.

Forest botany manual

Consider the use of offsets to compensate for the loss of native vegetation

through the implementation of conditions designed to improve biodiversity,

water quality, salinity or other land degradation issues.

FPA’s offset policy

DPIPWE’s general offset

principles

1.3 Ensure that clearance and

conversion does not result in any non-

threatened native vegetation

community becoming threatened.

Take into consideration and apply if relevant, actions within the current

Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy.

Monitor the extent of non-threatened non-forest vegetation

Permanent Native Forest

Estate Policy

Forest botany manual

TASVEG 3.0 – The digital

Vegetation Map of Tasmania

1.4 Maintain priority forest

communities on public land wherever

prudent and feasible.

Priority forest communities (listed under Attachment 6, section 3 of the RFA),

where they occur outside existing and new formal and informal reserves, will be

protected on public land wherever prudent and feasible.

Tasmania’s Regional Forest

Agreement

Forest botany manual

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Goal 2: Maintain or improve landscape heterogeneity and stand structure complexity

Management Target Actions Planning Tools

2.1 Maintain the full range of seral

stage patterns in native forest.

Maintain mature forest at multiple spatial scales. FPA’s Habitat Context

Assessment Tool

FPA Fauna Technical Note 2:

Mature habitat availability

FPA Fauna Technical Note 7:

Wildlife habitat clump flow

diagram

Maintain or enhance existing wildlife habitat strips on PTPZ Land, and consider

the implementation of wildlife habitat strips on private property.

FPA Fauna Technical Note 8:

Wildlife habitat strip location

and management guidelines

Disperse harvesting coupes (spatial and temporal dispersal) Forest Practices Code 2015

2.2 Maintain remnant vegetation. Maintain or enhance patches of remnant vegetation to assist with maintenance

of local flora and fauna diversity and landscape values; and for restoration of

habitat including widening and linking wildlife habitat strips, particularly where

species and communities of high conservation significance and known to occur.

Forest Practices Code 2015

2.3 Ensure adequate regeneration in

native forest harvest areas is achieved

during each harvest cycle, including

regeneration of the understorey.

Ensure stocking standards achieved in areas regenerated to native forest

following harvesting.

Forestry Tasmania Technical

Bulletin 5 Silvicultural

systems

Forestry Tasmania Technical

Bulletin 6 Regeneration

stocking standards

Forest Practices Code 2015

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Apply harvesting techniques, rotation lengths and silvicultural systems to native

forest areas that are appropriate for each forest type and foster regeneration of

the native understorey and overstorey.

Forestry Tasmania Technical

Bulletin 5 Silvicultural

systems

Goal 3: Maintain connectivity of habitat for flora and fauna species

Management Target Actions Planning Tools

3.1 Maintain and/or enhance linkages

along water courses and between

water courses, capturing a range of

habitat types and topographies.

Maintain streamside reserves on class 1-3 streams in native forest operations,

and on class 4 streams at risk of erosion.

Forest Practices Code 2015

FPA’s guidelines for the

protection of class 4 streams

Maintain or enhance existing wildlife habitat strips on PTPZ Land, and consider

the placement of wildlife habitat strips on private property (particularly for large

scale operations).

FPA Fauna Technical Note 8:

Wildlife habitat strip location

and management guidelines

Progressively re-establish streamside reserves in plantations on previously

cleared sites.

Forest Practices Code 2015

Goal 4: Maintain and/or improve the condition of freshwater ecosystems

Management Target Actions

4.1 Maintain water quality and flow

within the range of natural variation

over time.

Manage harvesting within a catchment to maintain or improve spatial and

temporal dispersal of harvesting units.

Forest Practices Code 2015

Conservation of Freshwater

Ecosystem Values data

Harvest no more than 5% of a town water supply catchment annually.

Forest Practices Code 2015

Incorporate dispersed coupe design into strategic plans for native forestry. To

achieve coupe dispersal:

Forest Practices Code 2015

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Apply harvesting and silvicultural regimes that are appropriate for each

forest type.

Do not exceed coupe size of 100 hectares for native forest harvested by

clearfelling.

Do not harvest areas of native forest until the dominant height of

adjacent regrowth is at least 5 metres.

Minimise use of chemicals where there is risk of water contamination through

exposure to spray drift or runoff.

Forest Practices Code 2015

Apply catchment-scale harvesting thresholds where appropriate and consistent

with current information

Minimise forestry road crossings

4.2 Maintain and/or restore riparian

vegetation and in stream habitat.

Maintain streamside reserves on class 1–3 streams in native forest operations,

and on class 4 streams at risk of erosion.

Apply streamside reserves on all classes of streams in catchments occupied by

threatened species (see also Goal 6).

Forest Practices Code 2015

FPA’s Guidelines for the

protection of class 4 streams

Recommendations for

aquatic fauna in the FPA

Threatened Fauna Adviser

Progressively re-establish streamside reserves in plantations on previously

cleared sites (i.e., where plantation trees were established up to the stream-

bank).

Forest Practices Code

Recommendations for

aquatic fauna in threatened

Fauna Adviser

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Goal 5: Maintain and/or improve the condition of native habitats for flora and fauna

Management Target Actions Planning Tools

5.1 Manage the risk of introducing

pests and disease into a ‘healthy’

habitat.

Apply hygiene management to prevent the risk of spreading disease (e.g.

Phytophthora cinnamomi, chytrid fungus, myrtle rust) into healthy areas.

FPA Flora Technical Note 8:

Phytophthora

DPIPWE’s Biosecurity

website

Source road material from certified Phytophthora-free quarries. FPA Flora Technical Note 8:

Phytophthora

DPIPWE’s Biosecurity

website

Apply hygiene measures to maintain quarries free of disease. DPIPWE’s Biosecurity

website

5.2 Minimise the deleterious effects of

weeds in native forests and plantations,

with particular focus on declared

environmental weeds and native forest

adjoining plantations.

Apply hygiene management to reduce the risk of spreading exotic weed species,

(e.g. pampas grass, ragwort, blackberry and Spanish heath) into native forest,

particularly conservation areas (e.g. formal reserves).

DPIPWE’s weeds index and

related legislation and

management plans.

5.3 Minimise harmful edge effects on

reserves and sensitive vegetation

communities and sensitive threatened

species habitat.

Protect formal reserves from incursion by adjoining plantation species. Forest Practices Code 2015

Maintain a minimum 40 metre buffer (horizontal distance) adjacent to relict

rainforest patches.

FPA Flora Technical Note 4:

Relict rainforest

management

Forestry Tasmania’s relict

rainforest policy

5.4 Maintain soil fertility and structure. Apply appropriate silviculture methods for different soils, restrict harvesting in

high risk erosion areas.

Forestry Tasmania Technical

Bulletin 5 Silvicultural

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systems

FPA’s Guidelines for the

protection of class 4 streams

Goal 6: Maintain and/or improve the conservation status of forest species, particularly threatened

species

Management Target Actions Planning Tools

6.1 Maintain viable populations of

threatened species across their ranges,

through the management of potential

habitat and other actions, and ensure

conversion doesn’t result in a non-

threatened species becoming

threatened.

Do not clear and convert significant habitat for threatened species FPA’s Planning Guideline

2008/1: to avoid the

clearance and conversion of

significant habitat for

threatened fauna

FPA’s Biodiversity Values

Database: fauna habitat

descriptions.

Apply the landscape-scale recommendations delivered through the Threatened

Fauna Adviser.

FPA’s Threatened Fauna

Adviser

6.2 Manage the risk of genetic pollution

in threatened native eucalypt

populations and areas of high

conservation value

Do not establish or re-establish Eucalyptus nitens plantation close to a population

of a threatened eucalypt with high hybridisation risk.

FPA flora technical note 12:

Management of gene flow

from plantation eucalypts

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4. Planning tools

Planning tool is a generic term which has been used in the BLPG to represent a variety of policies

and documents that deliver information on the implementation of actions.

Planning tools include technical documents, policies and procedures, and they can be descriptive or

prescriptive (or both). Descriptive planning tools provide information and clarification for an action.

For example, sections of the Forest botany manual describe the characteristics of a vegetation

community to assist with identification. Prescriptive planning tools outline and clarify the action and

management needed in order to achieve an objective. For the purposes of the BLPG prescriptive

planning tools include provisions of policy documents, and other instruments tied to legislation. For

example, the Forest Practices Code prescribes the width of streamside reserves that must be applied

within forestry operations in order to manage water quality and maintain riparian and in-stream

habitat.

4.1 Existing planning tools

A review of planning tools used commonly within the forest practices system identified that several

existing descriptive and prescriptive planning tools can be used to assist with implementing actions.

Commonly used planning tools are listed against each action in section 3. A description of each

planning tool is provided in Table 1 below. This list includes planning tools that are commonly used

within the forest practices system for biodiversity management, but it is not a complete list as forest

companies or other agencies may have other planning tools that also contribute to meeting

management targets.

Table 1: Planning tools linked to the BLPG management targets

Planning tool Type of

planning

tool

Description Link to

management

target (MT)

Forest Practices

Code provisions

Prescriptive The Forest Practices Code provides a set of

guidelines and standards to ensure the

protection of natural and cultural values. The

current Code (2015) was developed through

extensive consultation and public comment.

It is legally enforceable under the Forest

Practices Act 1985.

Directly: MT:

1.2, 2.3, 3.1,

4.1, 4.2

Indirectly: all.

Permanent Native

Forest Estate policy

provisions

Prescriptive A Tasmanian Government policy in place

since 1996 to regulate the extent of clearing

and conversion of the native forest estate.

The objective of the policy is to maintain and

manage the native forest estate for a variety

of uses.

MT 1.1-1.4.

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Forest botany

manual

Descriptive The Forest botany manual is designed to

help field workers, particularly Forest

Practices Officers, to identify and manage

flora values (plant species and communities)

in areas proposed for forestry operations.

MT: 1.2, 1.4

Biodiversity values

database web map

Descriptive An interactive map displaying fauna range

boundaries and mature habitat availability.

MT: 2.1

FPA habitat context

assessment tool

Descriptive A tool to assess the predicted availability of a

particular habitat within a user-specified

radius from a point locality.

MT: 2.1

Policy of the FPA:

The use of offsets to

compensate for the

loss of significant

biodiversity values

within forest

practices plans

Prescriptive A guide for the development of appropriate

offsets to compensate the loss of habitat for

threatened species or the loss of native

forest or threatened native vegetation

(where required under clause 6.2 of the

Permanent Native Forest Estate Policy).

MT: 1.2

FPA fauna technical

note 2: mature

habitat availability

Descriptive Background information on the construction

and limitations of the mature habitat

availability map.

MT: 2.1

FPA fauna technical

note 7: wildlife

habitat clump flow

diagram

Descriptive

and

prescriptive

Background information and guidance on

implementation of wildlife habitat clump

provisions of the Forest Practices Code.

MT: 2.1

FPA fauna technical

note 8: wildlife

habitat strip location

and management

guidelines

Descriptive

and

prescriptive

Background information and guidance on

implementation of wildlife habitat strip

provisions of the Forest Practices Code.

MT: 2.1 and

3.1

FPA flora technical

note 4: relict

rainforest

management

Descriptive

and

prescriptive

Patches of relic rainforest are of high

conservation value, and this technical note

outlines identification and recommends

appropriate management with regard to

forestry operations.

MT: 5.3

FPA flora technical

note 6: sphagnum

communities

Descriptive

and

prescriptive

A key to the various types of vegetation

associated with Sphagnum communities is

provided, and appropriate management

practices are discussed.

MT: 5.3

FPA flora technical Descriptive This technical note lists species and MT: 5.1 and

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4.2 Continuous improvement and adaptive management

In the development of the BLPG, which included a review of the available planning tools, four key

‘gaps’ were identified in baseline knowledge and agreed management approaches (planning tools)

for some management targets. These included agreed approaches to the management of

threatened flora species, mature habitat, river catchments, and remnant vegetation. The FPA are

prioritising the development of technical notes and other tools to address these gaps.

note 8:

Phytophthora

and

prescriptive

communities susceptible to Phytophthora,

and gives hygiene measures to reduce risks

of spreading Phytophthora. Procedures

relating to roads and tracks, quarries and

machinery washdown are described and

illustrated.

5.2

FPA flora technical

note 12:

management of

gene flow from

plantation eucalypts

Descriptive This technical note provides information on

which native eucalypts are susceptible to

hybridisation with Eucalyptus nitens and

how to recognise hybrid seedlings. A method

for assessing and managing hybridisation risk

is also presented, including monitoring

guidelines.

MT 5.4

Threatened native

vegetation

communities

information sheets

Descriptive Information to assist with the identification

of a threatened native vegetation

community.

MT: 1.2

FPA guidelines for

the protection of

class 4 streams

Descriptive

and

prescriptive

A guideline to assist with managing class 4

streams to maintain water quality and flow.

MT: 4.1 and

4.2

FPA’s Planning

Guideline 2008/1: to

avoid the clearance

and conversion of

significant habitat

for threatened

fauna

Descriptive

and

prescriptive

This document provides a planning

framework to avoid or limit the clearance

and conversion of significant habitat of

threatened fauna to non-native vegetation

cover such as plantations, agricultural

pasture. The framework does not deal with

the reservation of habitat, which is

addressed through other statutory

mechanisms.

MT:6.1

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1. Threatened flora management: The FPA is currently developing a Threatened Plant Adviser (TPA).

The TPA will be a web-based decision support system and will provide agreed management actions

for threatened flora species within areas covered by the forest practices system.

2. Management of mature habitat. The FPA is currently reviewing and revising a draft approach for

managing current and potential mature habitat across the landscape following stakeholder

feedback.

3. Catchment management: There is currently very little guidance on the management of river

catchments, other than the basic Code requirements (e.g., streamside reserves, coupe dispersal

etc.). Construction of a planning tool to assist with catchment management is difficult as there is

little known about the cumulative effects of different silvicultural systems or land use changes on

the water quality and flow within a catchment. Added to this, the development of a broad

management approach is further complicated by factors such as the differences in biodiversity

‘values’ between catchment (e.g., presence of threatened stream biota), size of catchments, tenure

arrangement and stochastic events.

4. Remnant management: The Code references the need to consider management of remnants ‘In

parts of the state where native forest occur mainly as remnants, consideration will be given to:

Retention of native forest remnants to aid the maintenance of local flora and fauna diversity

and landscape values;

Restoration of habitat including widening and linking wildlife habitat strips, particularly

where species and communities of high conservation significance are known to occur.’

DPIPWE’s From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmanian’s vegetation (Kitchener and Harris

2013) defines a native vegetation remnant as ‘the native vegetation remaining from the ‘original’

forest or non-forest vegetation in a landscape after land clearance/alteration. A native vegetation

remnant can be of any size and condition, but excludes modified forest, modified non-forest or

paddock trees.’ Although there is a definition, there is no guidance on what qualifies as a remnant,

or when a remnant should be prioritised for maintenance or restoration.

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5. Threatened species – Meeting Goal 6

Almost 700 hundred species of flora and fauna in Tasmania are listed as ‘threatened’ under the

Tasmanian Threatened species Protection Act 1995 and/or the Commonwealth Environmental

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Management of threatened species is covered

under this legislation, and in wood production areas, management is provided by the Tasmanian

Regional Forest Agreement 1997. This requires threatened species management to be undertaken in

accordance with the Forest Practices Act 1985, which includes procedures agreed between the FPA

and DPIPWE. These agreed procedures include endorsed species-specific management prescriptions,

which are represented as management recommendations delivered via planning tools such as the

Threatened Fauna Adviser.

The BLPG includes the goal 6, which is to maintain and/or improve the conservation status of forest

species, particularly threatened species. For threatened species, the management target is ‘to

contribute to the maintenance populations of threatened species across their ranges, through the

management of potential habitat and other management actions.’

Strategic plans that implement actions to achieve management targets associated with goals 1 to 5

can indirectly contribute to goal 6, through conserving general biodiversity, and maintaining a

healthy, heterogeneous, connected and resilient landscape. However, these associated actions alone

may not fully satisfy the conservation management requirements for threatened species. This is

because threatened species often require a more targeted approach to management, particularly if

the species requires specific habitat types, is sensitive to particular threats, has a limited or localized

distribution and/or population size, requires immediate recovery actions to improve its conservation

status, or there are significant gaps in knowledge.

This section of the BLPG provides guidance on the landscape-scale actions recommended for

threatened fauna species (to meet Goal 6) and indicates the potential contribution that the Goal 1-5

management targets and actions make toward the maintenance of threatened species at the

landscape-scale. The DPIPWE/FPA agreed landscape-scale management actions are delivered

through the Threatened Fauna Adviser 2014 (examples in Table 2). It is noted that while applying the

landscape-scale actions will contribute to the maintenance of populations of threatened species,

fine-scale or site specific management actions will also be required for many species.

It is intended for this section of the BLPG to be reviewed and revised as appropriate, in consultation

with DPIPWE (or other) specialists as required under the procedures agreed between FPA and

DPIPWE. In particular, any landscape-scale actions agreed for threatened flora species, which may

arise from the review conducted as part of the Threatened Plant Adviser development, will be

included.

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Table 2. Examples of landscape-scale recommended actions for threatened species that are

currently included in the Threatened Fauna Adviser 2014 and the related management targets in the

BLPG.

NOTE: this table includes examples of actions that may be applied at the landscape-scale. This table

does not include all landscape-scale management actions recommended for each and every species

in the Threatened Fauna Adviser. It is recommended that anyone developing a landscape-scale plan

(e.g. Management Agreement) using the BLPG should consult the Threatened Fauna Adviser for the

most up to date ‘landscape-scale’ recommended actions to ensure all relevant management actions

have been applied. Actions may still need to be applied at a finer-scale of planning (e.g. forest

practices plan) for some species and operations.

Species Range Summary of recommended ‘landscape-scale’ actions (from Threatened Fauna Adviser 2014 and FPA Planning Guideline 2008/1)

Related management target.

Eastern-barred bandicoot

Core range Retention of potential habitat, targeting significant habitat.

2.1

Establish an informal reserve network of linked strips and patches of potential habitat.

3.1

New Holland mouse

Potential range

Minimise the risk of Phytophthora cinnamomi being introduced to potential habitat within the core range.

5.1

Spotted-tailed quoll

Core range Retention of a network of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Consider the maintenance of native vegetation remnants in agricultural land or plantations.

2.2

Tasmanian devil

Outside heavily diseased area

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Inside heavily diseased area

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Grey goshawk Core range Establish streamside reserves and do not harvest each side of a class 1 and 2 stream in one year, or increase streamside reserve to 45 metres; retain 30 metre streamside reserves on class 3 streams, and 10 metre streamside reserves on class 4 streams.

4.1 and 4.2

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

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Species Range Summary of recommended ‘landscape-scale’ actions (from Threatened Fauna Adviser 2014 and FPA Planning Guideline 2008/1)

Related management target.

Woolnorth Maintain 30% of the blackwood swamp area (potential habitat) at a property or forest block.

1.4 and 3.1

Maintain 30% of grey goshawk habitat at the property or forest block scale.

3.1

Do not harvest coupes on each side of a streamside reserve supporting prime habitat at the same time.

2.1

Tasmanian azure kingfisher

Core range Manage riparian zones. 4.2

Swift parrot North and west potential breeding range

Focus retention of nesting habitat in areas where there is little mature habitat available in the landscape.

2.1

Retain foraging habitat within the landscape. 1.4

Core range not in a SPIBA

Retain foraging habitat with a focus on high density foraging habitat.

1.2 and 1.4

Core range not in a SPIBA

Focus retention of nesting habitat in areas where there is little mature habitat available in the landscape.

2.1

Core range and SPIBA

Retain a higher level of foraging habitat than in areas outside SPIBAs.

1.2 and 1.4

Retain nesting habitat with additional retention in areas where there is little mature habitat available in the landscape.

2.1

Forty-spotted pardalote

Potential range

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat and Eucalyptus viminalis trees.

2.1

Masked owl Core range Manage mature habitat within the landscape for availability and distribution.

2.1

Threatened frog species

Core range Manage landscape with known sites to provide protection to the water bodies and retention of suitable dispersal corridors.

3.1 and 4.2

Tussock skink Potential range

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Glossy grass skink

Core range Retain standard streamside reserves on class 1, 2 and 3 streams and increase protection on class 4 streams to 20 metres.

4.2

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Species Range Summary of recommended ‘landscape-scale’ actions (from Threatened Fauna Adviser 2014 and FPA Planning Guideline 2008/1)

Related management target.

Australian grayling

Potential range

Increase protection on class 3 streams to 30 m streamside reserve and class 4 streams to 10 m streamside reserve.

4.2

Disperse coupes so that each side of a class 1, 2, or 3 stream is not logged until the other side of the stream reaches at least 5 metres in height.

2.1

Revegetate cleared streamside reserves. 4.2

Swan galaxias and dwarf galaxiid

Core range and potential range

Maintain water quality and flow and condition of riparian vegetation.

4.1 and 4.2

Swamp galaxias and Clarence galaxias

Potential range

Maintain water quality and flow and condition of riparian vegetation.

4.1 and 4.2

Saddled galaxias, Arthurs paragalaxias and golden galaxias

Potential range

Maintain water quality and flow and condition of riparian vegetation.

4.1 and 4.2

Great lake paragalaxias and Shannon paragalaxias

Potential range

Apply 30 m streamside reserve on class 3 streams and 10 m on class 4 streams.

4.2

Revegetate cleared streamside reserves. 4.2

Maintain water quality in known localities. 4.1

Tasmanian chaostola skipper

Potential range

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Marrawah skipper

Potential range

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Ptunarra brown butterfly

Core range and potential range

Maintain the hydrological condition of sites supporting known colonies or potential habitat.

4.1

Freshwater crayfish

Potential range

Maintain water quality, flow and condition of riparian vegetation

4.1 and 4.2

Planning for harvest should aim for sufficient coupe dispersal so that operation areas on one side of a class 1, 2 or 3 stream are not

2.1 and 4.2

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Species Range Summary of recommended ‘landscape-scale’ actions (from Threatened Fauna Adviser 2014 and FPA Planning Guideline 2008/1)

Related management target.

logged before the regrowth in a logged coupe on the other side of the stream reaches at least 5 m in height. Where a coupe on one side of a stream is to be logged before the regrowth in a logged coupe on the other side of the stream reaches 5 m in height the streamside reserve width should be increased by at least 50%. Where these are Machinery Exclusion Zones on Class 4 streams, they need to be increased to at least 20 m intact reserves (native forest only).

Restore riparian vegetation in plantations 4.2

Within large plantation blocks, disperse harvesting over time

4.1

Consider restricting access to areas opened up by news roads to reduce the chance of illegal fishing (this is mainly applicable to extensive areas of forest not previously accessed by a road network).

4.1 and 4.2

Burrowing crayfish

Core range Restore riparian vegetation in plantations 4.2

Within large plantation blocks achieve dispersal over time

4.1

Retain streamside reserves and increase to 10 metre streamside reserve on class 4 streams

4.2

Skemps snail Known range

Maintain a contiguous network of native forest

2.1, 3.1

Disperse coupes 2.1

Design coupe so that 50% of the boundary is adjacent to native forest at least 25 years old and 150 m wide.

2.1, 2.3

Retain streamside reserves and increase streamside reserves to 20m on class 4 streams.

4.2

Burgundy snail Core range Maintain a contiguous network of native forest

2.1, 3.1

Disperse coupes 2.1

Design coupe so that 50% of the boundary is adjacent to native forest at least 25 years old

2.1, 2.3

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Species Range Summary of recommended ‘landscape-scale’ actions (from Threatened Fauna Adviser 2014 and FPA Planning Guideline 2008/1)

Related management target.

and 150 m wide.

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Keeled snail Core range Maintain a contiguous network of native forest

2.1, 3.1

Freshwater snails

Known and potential range

Maintain water quality, flow and condition of riparian vegetation

4.1 and 4.2

Caddisflies Potential range

Maintain water quality, flow and condition of riparian vegetation

4.1 and 4.2

Bornemisszas stag beetle

Known range

No forestry operations within the Special Management Zone

4.1

Disperse coupes 2.1

Design coupe so that 50% of the boundary is adjacent to native forest at least 25 years old and 150 m wide.

2.1, 2.3

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Vanderschoors stag beetle

Known range

Disperse coupes 2.1

Design coupe so that 50% of the boundary is adjacent to native forest at least 25 years old and 150 m wide.

2.1, 2.3

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Simsons stag beetle

Known range

Disperse coupes 2.1

Design coupe so that 50% of the boundary is adjacent to native forest at least 25 years old and 150 m wide.

2.1, 2.3

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

2.1

Broad-toothed stag beetle

Known range

Disperse coupes

Design coupe so that 50% of the boundary is adjacent to native forest at least 25 years old and 150 m wide.

Retention of potential habitat, targeting mature habitat.

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7. References

Biodiversity Review Panel 2009, 'Review of the biodiversity provisions of the Tasmanian Forest

Practices Code', Forest Practices Authority.

Bunnell, FL & Dunsworth, BG 2004, 'Making adaptive management for biodiversity work - The

example of Weyerhaeuser in coastal British Columbia', Forestry Chronicle, vol. 80, no. 1, pp. 37-43.

Chuter, A, Koch, AJ & Munks, SA 2011, Landscape Planning Guideline: A framework for the

management of RFA priority species and their habitats at the landscape scale, Forest Practices

Authority, Hobart.

Commonwealth of Australia and State of Tasmania 1995, The Tasmanian Community Forest

Agreement. Supplementary Tasmania Regional Forest Agreement, Commonwealth of Australia and

State of Tasmania, Canberra.

—— 1997, Tasmanian Regional Forest Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the

State of Tasmania, Canberra.

Forest Practices Authority 2011, Mature habitat availability map and background information. FPA

Technical Note No. 2, Forest Practices Authority, Hobart.

Forest Practices Authority and DPIPWE 2010, Procedures for the management of threatened species

under the forest practices system, Forest Practices Authority and Department of Primary Industries,

Water, Parks and Environment, Hobart.

Forest Practices Board 2000, Forest Practices Code 2000, Forest Practices Board, Hobart.

Forestry Tasmania 2010, Silvicultural systems for native eucalypt forests Native Forest Silvicultural

Technical Bulletin No. 5, Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.

Forestry Tasmania 2010, Regeneration Surveys and Stocking Standards Native Forest Silviculture

Technical Bulletin No. 6. Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.

Hardie, D & Davies, P 2007, 'Conserving freshwater ecosystem values in Tasmania, Australia:

identification and application of freshwater conservation management priority areas', in AL Wilson,

Dehaan, R.L., Watts, R.J., Page, K.J., Bowmer, K.H., & Curtis, A. (ed.), Proceedings of the 5th

Australian Stream Management Conference. Australian rivers: making a difference, Charles Sturt

University, Thurgoona, New South Wales.

Institute of Foresters of Australia 2007, Australian Native Forests and Water, Institute of Foresters of

Australia, ACT.

Koch, AJ, Driscoll, DA & Kirkpatrick, JB 2008, 'Estimating the accuracy of tree ageing methods in

mature Eucalyptus obliqua forest, Tasmania', Australian Forestry, vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 147-59.

Lindenmayer, DB & Franklin, JF 2002, Conserving Forest Biodiversity. A comprehensive Multiscaled

Approach. , Island Press, Washington DC.

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Munks, SA & Koch, AJ 2011, Developing a framework for the conservation of habitat of RFA priority

species - Background Report 4. A review of approaches used interstate and overseas to monitor the

effectiveness of forest management prescriptions for the conservation of biodiversity., Forest

Practices Authority, Hobart, Tasmania.

State of Tasmania 2011, Tasmanian Government policy for maintaining a permanent native forest

estate, State of Tasmania, Hobart.

State of Tasmania and Commonwealth of Australia 2007, Sustainability indicators for Tasmanian

forests 2001-2006, Forest Practices Authority, Hobart, Tasmania.

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8. Appendices

Appendix 1: Process for the development, review and continual

improvement of the provisions of the Forest Practices Code

The forest practices adaptive management process, in relation to many biodiversity values, can be

summarised as follows:

a. The most up-to-date information is gathered from published and non-published sources to

determine the ‘expert opinion’ with respect to the value in question and its likely response

to various forms of forest management;

b. The science and expert opinion is used to develop management actions for the value. This

may be done through a technical working group (e.g. fauna/flora strategic planning

groups, hollows working group) convened for the particular value or issue;

c. Comment is sought from all stakeholders, particularly practitioners (FPOs), on the

proposed management actions and any associated implementation tools (e.g. policies,

DSS, technical notes, etc.);

d. The final decision on adoption or amendment of the management actions and any

associated implementation tools is made by the Board of the FPA (and Secretary of

DPIPWE in the case of actions relating to threatened species) who may seek advice from

the Forest Practices Advisory Council, TSSAC and any other advisory bodies as required;

e. Training, education and awareness programs are conducted on a regular basis for forest

practices officers, other planning and supervisory staff employed throughout the forest

industry and landowners;

f. The management actions are implemented through effective and efficient planning tools

and procedures;

g. Research is conducted to improve understanding of the value in question and its response

to different impacts;

h. Monitoring is carried out by specialists to assess the efficacy of management actions;

The management actions are reviewed and revised on a regular basis to incorporate the findings of

new research, results from monitoring and operational experience.

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Appendix 2: Management targets and related sustainability

indicators

The management targets of the BLPG and their related sustainability indicator from the Tasmanian

State of the Forests reporting (State of Tasmania and Commonwealth of Australia 2007).

Management Target Sustainability indicator

1.1 A minimum of 95 per cent of the 1996 CRA

native forest area is to be maintained on a state-

wide basis.

1.1a Extent of area of forest type

1.2 Maintain and/or enhance the area and/or

condition of threatened native vegetation

communities on public and private land.

1.1.c Extent of area by forest type and

reservation status

1.3 Ensure that conversion does not result in any

non-threatened forest community becoming

threatened.

1.1.c Extent of area by forest type and

reservation status

1.4 Priority forest communities to be maintained

on public land wherever prudent and feasible.

1.1.e Extent of old growth by forest type by

reservation status

1.1.c Extent of area by forest type and

reservation status

2.1 Maintain the full range of seral stage pattern

in native forests.

1.1.b Area of forest by growth stage;

1.1.e. Area of old growth by forest type by

reservation status

2.2 Maintain remnant vegetation. 1.1.d Fragmentation of forest cover

2.3 Ensure adequate regeneration in native

forest harvest areas is achieved during each

harvest cycle, including regeneration of the

understorey.

2.1.e. The area of native forest harvested and

the proportion of that effectively regenerated

and the area of plantation clearfelled and the

proportion of that effectively re-established

3.1 Maintain and/or enhance linkages along

water courses and between water courses,

capturing a range of habitat types and

topographies.

1.1.d Fragmentation of forest cover

4.1 Maintain water quality and flow within the 4.1.b Management of the risk of soil erosion and

the risk to soil physical properties, water

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Management Target Sustainability indicator

range of natural variation over time. quantity and water quality in forests

4.2 Maintain and/or restore riparian vegetation

and instream habitat.

4.1.b Management of the risk of soil erosion and

the risk to soil physical properties, water

quantity and water quality in forests

5.1 Manage the risk of introducing disease into a

‘healthy’ habitat.

3.1.a Area and percentage of forest affected by

processes or agents that may change the

ecosystem health and vitality

5.2 Minimise the deleterious effects of weeds in

native forests and plantations, with particular

focus on declared environmental weeds and

native forest adjacent to plantations.

3.1.a Area and percentage of forest affected by

processes or agents that may change the

ecosystem health and vitality

5.3 Minimise harmful edge effects on reserves

and sensitive vegetation communities and

sensitive priority species habitat.

3.1.a Area and percentage of forest affected by

processes or agents that may change the

ecosystem health and vitality;

3.1.b Area of forest burnt by planned and

unplanned fire

5.4 Manage the risk of genetic pollution in

threatened native eucalypt populations and

areas of high conservation value.

3.1.a Area and percentage of forest affected by

processes or agents that may change the

ecosystem health and vitality

5.5 Maintain soil fertility and structure. 4.1.b Management of the risk of soil erosion and

the risk to soil physical properties, water

quantity and water quality in forests